Need Assessment Committee Meeting Minutes May 9th, 2019

Meeting of the NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
Marcy Thompson & Amanda Lugg, Co-Chairs
May 9 th, 2019, 10:00AM -12:00PM

LGBT Center, 208 West 13th Street, Room 301, New York, NY By Conference Call – 1-866-213-1863, Access Code 3587454#
MINUTES

Members Present: Amanda Lugg (co-chair), Marcy Thompson (co-chair), Jan Carl Park, Fay Barrett

(phone), Randall Bruce, Paul Carr, Micah Domingo, Billy Fields, Timothy Frasca, Graham Harriman,

Jennifer Irwin, Carol Kunzel (phone), John Schoepp, Mytri Singh, Maiko Yomogida

Members Absent: Maria Diaz, Guillermo Garcia-Goldwyn, Ron Joyner, Ruben Rios-Vergara, Saul Reyes, Janie Simmons, Robert Steptoe

NYC DOHMH/PHS Staff Present: Nadine Alexander, Ashley Azor, Jose Colon-Berdecia, Bettina Caroll (phone), Julie Lehane, Kimbirly Mack, Kalani Thaler

Ms. Thompson led introductions, including pronouns, and an icebreaker about spring. Mr. Fields led the committee in a moment of silence. Ms. Irwin asked for a clarification of the minutes regarding a robust discussion on the date of the planned forum. 

None.

Mr. Carr, Co-Chair of the Oral Health subcommittee discussed the needs and gaps in care that the committee has heard from national and local dental providers. The committee anticipates a set of recommendations to be issued under the overarching recommendation to fund oral health care as a service directive in the Ryan White Part A (RWPA) portfolio. All of the providers interviewed by the committee serve the target RWPA population. 

Too many consumers have never been to the dentist, and exhibit more complex and untreated dental needs. Mr. Park noted that RWPA could offer coverage to people wo are not getting the care they need despite other funders on the landscape.

Providers are asking PLWH for bloodwork without explaining why – contributing to the stigma.   

Slightly more people in CHAIN who identify as having a disability are accessing housing services – but don’t know if it is significant. Mr. Walker noted that it is very difficult to access legal services. There are slight difference between people with and without disabilities in terms of accessing services. The majority of clients are satisfied with the services they receive.

Mr. Park wanted to know how well the RWPA programs are doing at accommodating the needs of people with disabilities. 

As people become disabled, whether due to the aging process or incidents, we need to understand how well the system is meeting their needs. There is literal physical access, and well as the attitudes that ensure services delivered are high quality. Physical and attitudinal barriers. The initial survey to providers indicated that providers would like to make their spaces more accommodating. Mr. Harriman is opening conversations with providers about how they are complying with the law.

Need to hear from the larger community to ensure that the work of this committee is meeting the real needs of people who will access our services. City Tech has a hearing loop equipped building. Ms. Lawrence presented the flyer to the committee. 

Ms. Thompson noted that having community testimony would enhance the current draft recommendations.

Note takers should be designated to bring back core points from the day. 

For a large group (anything above 25-30 people) working groups make the most sense.

Breakout groups will be in the same room. 

A framework to better structure the day is necessary.

Recommending the provision of assistive tech means that we are recommending IOC develop a service category to fund such devices. Necessary to understand what’s permissible under Ryan White.  An outreach and planning subcommittee was formed. 

None.